Question 6:
Will you give us some examples of projects that fall within the guidelines of each area of interest? In the cost sharing, can you give a bit more clear explination of what you are talking about with cost share? for example, you want the grant to be no more than 50% of the cost of the project, etc.?
Answer 6:
Question #1: The DOE does not provide examples of potential projects to submit in response to a solicitation. Perspective applicants should carefully review the requirements identified in each area of interest when developing applications. Examples of projects previously funded by the program are provided at: http://energy.gov/eere/vehicles/vehicle-technologies-office-annual-merit-review-presentations.
Question #2: An explanation of cost share is located in Section III.B of the FOA. Additionally, Appendix B & C of the Funding Opportunity Announcement provide information on cost share and calculation of cost share.
Question 33:
We are anticipating coming to an agreement with manufacturers and/or car dealerships so they’ll either offer rebates and/or assist in buying down the price of electric vehicles. Would the rebate amount and/or buying down the price of the electric vehicle be considered cost match?
Answer 33:
No. In accordance with 2 CFR § 200.406, rebates must be credited to the Federal award either as a cost reduction or cash refund, as appropriate.
Question 34:
Can you provide examples of smart mobility or smart cities, which is referenced in section AOI 3 Additional Requirements on Page 10?
Answer 34:
Smart Mobility generally refers to transportation technology solutions that use connectivity and automation to increase vehicle safety and efficiency and/or reduce greenhouse gas emissions. The “Memorandum of Understanding between The Department of Energy, Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy and The Department of Transportation, Office of the Assistant Secretary for Research and Technology” (see http://www.energy.gov/eere/vehicles/downloads/memorandum-understanding-between-us-department-energy-and-us-department) provides additional information.
Question 35:
What is DOE’s definition of deployment? This term is used in section AOI 3 Additional Requirements on Page 10. Does it mean promotion, marketing and rebates associated with electric vehicles to get them on the road, or does it mean the install of charging stations?
Answer 35:
Mobilizing alternative fuel vehicles and installing infrastructure to displace on-road vehicle petroleum use.
Question 36:
Does DOE want the description of the project team & qualifications to be part of the two page concept paper? Or is that part of the two page addendum?
Answer 36:
As indicated on pages 28-29 of the Funding Opportunity Announcement, the 2 page maximum Addendum should include information related to the qualifications, experience, and capabilities of the proposed Project Team.
Question 37:
The max and min of the proposed amount is $5M and $3M. What will happen if we propose an amount outside of this range?
Answer 37:
DOE does not provide determinations regarding applications prior to selections for negotiation of an award. The funding ranges provided by DOE were given to help the applicants better understand DOE’s funding levels.
Question 38:
The matching fund requirement is 50%. Please confirm that the amount is $5M if the proposed amount is $5M.
Answer 38:
The cost share match for Area of Interest 1 and 3 is 50%. If the DOE share for the application is $5M, then the Recipient share must also be $5M, for a total project cost of $10M. An explanation of cost share is located in Section III.B of the FOA. Additionally, Appendix B & C of the Funding Opportunity Announcement provide information on cost share and calculation of cost share.
Question 39:
In past FOA’s, a cover page for the Concept Paper, containing projectspecific
information has been
required. However, I notice that no cover page is required for this particular FOA. Other than the
Control Number and Page number, is there any other identifying information required for the Concept
Paper (technical contact, business contact, project name, FOA number, etc.)?
Answer 39:
The Technology Description (2 pages maximum) and Addendum (2 pages
maximum) are the required documents for AOI 1 and 2. The Project Description (2 pages maximum)
and Addendum (2 pages maximum) are the required documents for AOI 3.
Question 44:
Question 44: If the value of EVs are used as match for the project, but no federal funds are actually expended toward the EVs, are the EVs which are counted as match subject to property management rules like the vehicles purchased with grant assistance under the Clean Cities Recovery Act awards?
Answer 44:
Answer 44: Please note that the base cost of vehicles is not an allowable project cost. Only the incremental cost of an EV may be included as a project cost, whether federal and/or cost share. Per the FOA, "incremental cost should be calculated based on the difference between the cost of the AFV and the cost of a comparable conventional model, verified by manufacturer estimate, after all other applicable manufacturer and local/state rebates, tax credits, and cash equivalent incentives are applied."
Property management rules apply to equipment with a current per-unit fair-market value in excess of $5,000.